(CMR) There is grave concern that Jamaica may have the Caribbean's first suspected case of the dreaded Chinese Coronavirus. Reports are that the Accident and Emergency Department at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) have been partially shut down as health workers address a suspected case of an influenza virus. The patient allegedly recently traveled from China and has now been quarantined after presenting himself at the hospital last night.
However, the administrators at the hospital have denied the allegations instead sharing that the case is one of suspected dengue fever.
UHWI chief executive officer Kevin Allen shared:
“A patient presented at the Emergency Department last night and we are querying dengue. We have sent the necessary body fluids to the lab for testing and we await same,”
This rumor circulated quickly on social media prompting Jamaican's Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton to call an emergency press conference this afternoon at his Ministry amid rumors of a suspected case of coronavirus.
In other related news, Dr. Tufton has indicated that he is prepared to advise Jamaican athletes against competing at the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships, scheduled for Nanjing, China if the coronavirus continues to spread in the East Asian country.
Confidential local sources who have reached out to Jamaican authorities shared that:
“There's NO suspected case according to the Ministry of Health in Jamaica but we are checking with PAHO.”
This is a developing case and CMR will be watching this closely.
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